Point out the phrase Croatia, and Dubrovnik might be the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts. I can’t blame you; that is one among my favourite cities on the planet. Certain, it’s very busy in the summertime months, however residing in Dubrovnik is an expertise like no different.
As a digital nomad residing in Dubrovnik, you’ll discover greater than sufficient to fill your time—a lot so that you just’ll in all probability must consider just a few additional days off. Having spent a good period of time on this stunning place, I’m properly positioned to advise you on the ins and outs of life in one among Croatia’s most stunning cities.
SEE ALSO: 10 Causes Why Croatia is a Digital Nomad’s Dream Vacation spot
About Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is situated within the southern Dalmatia area, lapped by the glittering waters of the Adriatic. It’s definitely Croatia’s most well-known and busiest metropolis in the course of the summer season months, however I additionally discovered it charming in the course of the winter.
The one potential draw back to the slower (and colder) months is that almost all issues shut; nonetheless if that doesn’t hassle you, you must benefit from the slower tempo of life.
It’s a very historic metropolis, courting again to across the seventh century, and its most well-known spot is the town partitions. When you’re a Sport of Thrones fan, you’ll be thrilled to know that there are a number of filming websites to find across the metropolis.
For me, life in Dubrovnik is about consuming good meals, socializing, taking within the stunning surroundings, and exploring the neighboring areas. Certain, it could possibly get busy in the course of the peak summer season months, however there’s a lot to see and try this it’s simple to flee the crowds for just a few days.
Digital Nomad in Dubrovnik: Private Expertise
Since Croatia launched its digital nomad visa (extra on that later), Dubrovnik has turn out to be a hotspot for digital nomads, particularly in the course of the summer season months. I loved visiting in the course of the autumn months particularly, as I discovered an amazing social scene with out the key crowds.
As you possibly can think about, Dubrovnik isn’t the most affordable metropolis because of its touristic label, however there are many methods to chop prices. I loved my time within the metropolis and located it very easy to make new mates and meet different folks. The web is quick, there are many nice cafes to work from, and total, I had a improbable high quality of life throughout my keep.
I discovered the height summer season months, notably July and August, slightly too populated, and I don’t advise you to aim to stroll the town partitions right now. Nevertheless, the climate is superb, there are some nice seashores close by, and also you’re certain to like the full-on summer season vibe.
Is Dubrovnik Secure?
The excellent news is that residing in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad is unlikely to pose any important security issues. I by no means felt unsafe or unnerved throughout my time there, and total, Dubrovnik is taken into account a secure place. After all, it’s a big metropolis so all the time use your frequent sense and do not forget that in busy areas, there’s all the time an opportunity of pickpockets.
Regardless of the small danger of petty theft, I felt very at dwelling in Dubrovnik and sometimes walked round by myself with out feeling any want to stay to the busier areas. In truth, I felt very secure in Croatia total.
The largest subject for me was the crowds across the metropolis wall areas in the course of the peak summer season months, however that’s avoidable in case you discover giant teams of individuals slightly overwhelming.
Greatest Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik isn’t a very sprawling metropolis, however there are some preferrred areas to base your self as a digital nomad. Listed here are a few of my suggestions:
1. Previous City
If you wish to be as centrally situated as attainable, the Previous City is for you. I spent numerous my time right here, and though I didn’t search lodging within the space, I discovered it a reasonably vibrant and enjoyable spot. The one draw back is that you just’re more likely to spend extra on lease, but when you will discover somebody to share with, you’ll save money.
When working remotely in Dubrovnik, selecting to remain within the Previous City cuts down on commuting prices. It locations you within the coronary heart of the town and means you’re by no means too far-off from nightlife, eating places, and sights. There are additionally loads of improbable cafes to work from on this neighborhood.
2. Lapad
If you wish to keep someplace that also has a vigorous vibe however isn’t fairly as central because the Previous City, I’d advocate Lapad. This neighborhood is pedestrianized, so that you’re not going to be disturbed by site visitors. It’s additionally dwelling to some fairly cafes, eating places, and a welcoming seaside view.
I appreciated Lapad as I discovered it to be a bit extra chilled out in comparison with the Previous City. There are many cafes to work from on this space, and lease is barely decrease as a result of it’s not fairly as central. It’s additionally fairly simple to get to the Previous City through bus if you wish to be proper in the course of the town itself.
3. Babin Kuk
I stayed within the Babin Kuk space for some time and I actually appreciated it there. It’s barely out of the town heart, round 6.5km/4 miles, nevertheless it’s simple to get to the Previous City through bus. I loved the slower tempo and the actual fact that there have been fewer crowds. The one draw back is that lease isn’t that low-cost; it’s classed as being fairly high-end.
Nevertheless, if you wish to reside by the seaside and luxuriate in lazy days in cafes with a view, this can be a great place. I met many different distant employees on this neighborhood, and since it’s quieter, I felt much less overwhelmed by noise and crowds.
4. Ploče
When you’re fascinated by residing in Dubrovnik and wish to be someplace slightly extra luxurious, Ploče is an efficient place to think about. Right here, you’ll discover some fancy lodges and Airbnbs, and whereas the value is barely larger, the realm provides a classy vibe and is inside strolling distance of the Previous City.
I discovered Ploče fairly a snug and welcoming place. Banje Seashore can also be close by, so it’s a good selection in case you get pleasure from seaside time throughout your downtime. There are additionally loads of nightlife choices round, with out being proper within the thick of it. Personally, I really feel this neighborhood is a superb supply of center floor between common life and touristic enjoyable.
Learn how to Discover Lodging in Dubrovnik
Discovering lodging in Dubrovnik could be tough in case you depart it slightly too late to start your search. I like to recommend planning to reach a month or so earlier than the summer season season begins, so you possibly can safe a spot to remain. When you’re visiting within the winter months, you’ll discover lodging fairly simple to search out.
1. Reserving.com: I used reserving.com to search out hostels and serviced lodging in Dubrovnik and all the time discovered nice costs. You too can search simply exterior of the town heart to maintain prices low. Nevertheless, I’d advocate reserving as far prematurely as attainable, to keep away from the most effective costs being snapped up.
2. Airbnb: There are a lot of long-stay flats accessible in Dubrovnik for first rate costs. Once more, it’s finest to ebook forward of time because the summer season season turns into very busy and many individuals have the identical thought—discover someplace to remain! Lapad is a very standard place for Airbnbs.
3. Fb teams: When you search on Fb, you’ll discover many teams for Dubrovnik itself, together with digital nomad teams. It is a good solution to discover different like-minded individuals who you could possibly share lodging with and preserve prices low. It’s additionally a great place to search out additional recommendations on saving cash and issues to see and do.
Price of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
I really feel the price of residing in Dubrovnik is barely larger than in the remainder of the nation, however that’s seemingly as a result of it’s such a vacationer place. Total, nonetheless, it’s on par with most giant European cities, and if you understand how to chop prices, you’ll preserve money in your pocket.
Eating places and Groceries
When you select to eat at eating places focusing on vacationers, you’ll rapidly run out of money. For instance, the price of a meal in a reasonable vacationer restaurant within the Previous City will value you round €30-€40, ($32-$43) relying on what you’ve gotten.
When you keep away from these locations and as a substitute go to small, native eating places away from the town heart, you’ll discover decrease costs; I typically ate in a conventional place in Lapad for round €15/$16, which is kind of a saving.
When you can, it’s finest to prepare dinner at dwelling as you’ll discover groceries fairly moderately priced. Head to the recent fruit and vegetable markets to replenish on recent produce and go to the native butcher on your meat. Generally, you should purchase every week’s price of groceries for lower than €50/$53.
Lodging Prices
Lodging is most probably to take the most important chunk of your cash. The price of an house varies in keeping with how shut or far-off you’re from the Previous City, however on common, you’re taking a look at round €650/$690 per 30 days. Your utilities, equivalent to electrical energy, water, fuel, and web are on prime of that worth.
Through the summer season, you’ll want at the least a fan, however air-conditioning if in all probability preferable. On common, utilities will value round €350/$370, relying in your utilization.
For these causes, it’s finest to try to share lodging in case you can, so you possibly can halve these costs and save as you go. Nevertheless, you might discover that Airbnb works out cheaper if you will discover someplace that enables long-term stays. Once more, keep away from the Previous City to maintain costs a bit decrease.
Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
The excellent news is that as a Dubrovnik digital nomad, you’ll discover it simple to get round. I discovered the town fairly walkable, and the middle is all pedestrianized, which makes getting round on foot quite a bit simpler. It is a good way to economize.
If you wish to journey exterior of the town heart, the bus community is dependable and comparatively low-cost. A one-way ticket prices round €2/$2.10, and I discovered buses very easy to make use of. I’d advocate solely utilizing taxis or Uber when you could, e.g. if you could get dwelling late at evening; they’re fairly costly and can eat into your price range.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I used Hrvatski Telekom (T-Cell) for my SIM card wants, and it lined my calls and information at cheap prices. It’s very easy to get a SIM card; you merely take your passport right into a retailer within the metropolis heart they usually’ll set you up. A SIM card is reasonably priced, at round €5/$5.30.
Different dependable SIM suppliers embody A1 and Telemach. You too can use an eSIM, with Airalo being the most well-liked choice.
Whichever choice you select, it’s simple to prime your telephone up on the finish of the month, both on-line or by visiting a retailer within the metropolis heart.
Cash Saving Ideas for Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is likely one of the costliest locations in Dubrovnik, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t save slightly cash right here and there. Listed here are my prime recommendations on the right way to just do that.
- Prepare dinner at dwelling: Vacationer restaurant costs are a lot larger than common eating places; in case you prepare dinner at dwelling, you’ll not solely get monetary savings however can be extra inclined to eat healthily.
- Keep away from the height summer season months: Dubrovnik is a seasonal place so it is sensible that costs are all the time larger from round June to the center of September. When you can, keep away from these months and also you’ll discover cheaper costs on the whole. The winter months are additionally good for cash saving, though the town is quite a bit quieter.
- Stroll as a lot as attainable: Buses are low-cost and straightforward to make use of, however in case you stroll as a lot as you possibly can, you’ll discover these Euros sticking round moderately than disappearing. As I discussed, the middle of Dubrovnik particularly could be very simple to stroll round.
- Keep away from taxis: There are occasions once you may want to make use of a taxi but when attainable, try to keep away from them. Taxis are costly, and until it’s late at evening otherwise you’re determined to get someplace rapidly, decide to stroll or use the bus.
- Keep away from the vacationer entice: Vacationer locations are all the time costlier than extra conventional spots. You’ll want to keep away from vacationer eating places but in addition just remember to do your buying in small, locally-owned retailers moderately than vacationer ones close to the massive sights.
- Keep exterior of the Previous City: It’s nice to remain centrally, however lease within the Previous City is far larger than within the suburban areas. When you can, share your lodging and go halves.
Coworking Areas in Dubrovnik and WiFi Pace
Being a digital nomad in Dubrovnik, you’re in all probability curious about coworking spots. Though there are numerous distant employees right here, the town is primarily aimed towards vacationers, and there are but to be any good high quality coworking areas.
The excellent news is that you just’ll discover loads of nice cafes to work from, and I’ll speak about these shortly.
One other plus level of staying in Dubrovnik is the web. I didn’t expertise any issues with WiFi throughout my time in Dubrovnik, even when utilizing it for heavy work, equivalent to video calls. In response to Speedtest, the typical add and obtain speeds in Dubrovnik are 13.64 Mbps and 31.16 Mbps respectively.
Greatest Cafes to Work From in Dubrovnik
There aren’t any coworking areas in Dubrovnik, however there are many nice, laptop computer-friendly cafes you need to use as a substitute. When residing in Dubrovnik as a digital nomad, I discovered a number of spots to completely swimsuit my wants. Listed here are my suggestions:
- Nishta: I actually appreciated this cafe, not solely as a result of it’s proper within the coronary heart of the Previous City, however as a result of it’s a comfortable area with comfy chairs, nice WiFi, and improbable espresso. What extra may you need?
- Buzz Bar: When you go to this bar/cafe in the course of the day, you’ll discover it to be laidback, reasonably priced, and cozy for just a few hours of labor. Nevertheless, it’s finest to go away earlier than 6 pm because it will get fairly busy and loud.
- City & Veggie: When you’re vegan, that is the place for you. They provide scrumptious plant-based snacks and treats, nevertheless it’s additionally a snug place to work from. The workers don’t thoughts you utilizing your laptop computer, and I used to be fairly productive from this spot.
Actions and Issues To Do in Dubrovnik
Whereas residing in Dubrovnik, your days off can be packed. For me, the most effective factor about life on this metropolis is that you just’re by no means too far-off from a sight, a seaside, or just an amazing cafe to sit down and chill for some time.
To present you an thought of what you possibly can spend your free time on, listed below are my prime picks:
1. Dubrovnik Metropolis Partitions
Palms down, the primary factor to do in Dubrovnik is to stroll across the metropolis partitions. Nevertheless, there’s a huge however coming your manner: it’s finest to do that very early within the morning or exterior of the height season. In July and August, it’s practically unattainable to stroll round right here and luxuriate in it as a result of crowds.
Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless my favourite factor to do – ensure you clear loads of area in your digital camera for superb snaps. You’ll be able to stroll across the partitions in round two hours most and from there, head into the Previous City to proceed your sightseeing tour. Click on right here to study extra concerning the metropolis partitions tour.
2. Elaphiti Islands
The attractive Elaphiti Islands are a brief boat journey from Dubrovnik harbor – it’s an effective way to flee the hustle and bustle and luxuriate in a day on the seaside. I took an island-hopping boat journey that lasted round eight hours and I used to be so blissed out by the top of it; I can’t advocate it sufficient.
Taking a guided tour means you’ll get to see a number of islands, and Šipan was my favourite. There are additionally ruins of church buildings to discover, vineyards, and gorgeous views in all places you look.
3. Sport of Thrones Strolling Tour
When you’re a soon-to-be Dubrovnik digital nomad and a GoT fan, you have to go to the filming places across the metropolis. One of the best ways to do that is through a Sport of Thrones strolling tour, which is able to take you to Fort Lovrijenac, Pile Gate, and Stradun. You’ll additionally go to a duplicate of the well-known Iron Throne at Jesuit Stairs.
Admittedly, I’m not the largest GoT fan however I nonetheless actually loved trying out the filming places. Having your picture taken on the Iron Throne can also be a must-do and one thing you’ll wish to share in your social media accounts for everybody to see.
4. Dubrovnik Cable Automobile
I’m not usually one for heights, however I braved the Dubrovnik cable automobile, and I’m so glad I did. The views from the highest are merely spectacular and actually gave me a brand new appreciation of the realm’s magnificence.
I’d advocate happening the cable automobile as early within the day as you possibly can if you wish to keep away from crowds. Typically you need to wait fairly some time in case you go to within the afternoon, particularly in the course of the peak months. You probably have time, seize a espresso and a few cake from the restaurant on the prime and luxuriate in a full day or just a few hours at leisure.
5. Copacabana Seashore
Sure, the title may make you assume you’re someplace else completely, however Copacabana Seashore is one among my favourite chill-out spots in Dubrovnik. It’s fairly simple to get to; you merely take the bus to Lapad after which stroll alongside the marked path. It takes not more than quarter-hour by foot.
Right here, you’ll discover a restaurant, sun-loungers and parasols for rent, and there are watersports too. Total, it’s only a excellent place to take in the solar, get a tan, and customarily benefit from the summer season vibes.
Climate in Dubrovnik
If you need the most effective of the climate, you’ll must cope with the crowds and go to Dubrovnik between June and the center of September. The hottest month is July, with a median excessive temperature of 29°C/85°F, and a median sea temperature of 24°C/75°F. There’s little likelihood of rain in the course of the summer season, with solely a median of 38mm in August as an entire.
Even in the course of the spring and fall months, you’ll expertise loads of sunshine, with round 12 hours of sunshine in Might and 10 in September. If you wish to go to in the course of the winter months and luxuriate in a extra chilled-out vibe, you may wish to keep away from November because the wettest month. Regardless of that, the coldest month of January nonetheless provides a comparatively gentle excessive of 12°C/54°F.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
As with wherever on the planet, there are each professionals and cons of residing in Dubrovnik.
Professionals of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
- A lot to see and do: There’s a motive Dubrovnik is so standard as a trip spot; there’s a lot to see and do. Throughout your day without work, you’ll be spoilt for selection in terms of historic locations to go to and areas of pure magnificence.
- Dependable, high-quality web: I by no means had a problem with the Web in Dubrovnik, and I discovered it very simple to be productive and get all my work accomplished.
- It’s simple to satisfy different like-minded folks: Dubrovnik is a well-liked spot for digital nomads and vacationers on the whole. I met many like-minded folks there; it’s simple to search out others to community or just socialize with.
- Getting round is straightforward: Dubrovnik is a really walkable metropolis, and even when you could go additional than the town heart, the bus community is affordable and dependable.
- Implausible climate in the course of the summer season: The summer season months convey seemingly limitless sunshine and splendidly scorching days. When you’re into summer season vibes, Dubrovnik received’t disappoint you.
Cons of Dwelling in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik is costlier than different Croatian cities: Let’s tackle the elephant within the room: Dubrovnik could be expensive. Nevertheless, as I’ve talked about, there are methods to chop prices so that you get the most effective of each worlds.
- Discovering lodging could be tough: As a result of Dubrovnik is a principally summer season vacation spot, you might wrestle to search out lodging in case you depart it too late. As such, you could plan forward.
- Dubrovnik could be very quiet in the course of the winter months: Whereas it’s attainable to spend time in Dubrovnik in the course of the winter, many bars, eating places, cafes, and retailers are closed for the season. You’ll discover a extra genuine vibe, and it’s quite a bit simpler to discover the town partitions, however you might discover leisure barely missing.
- No coworking areas: Dubrovnik doesn’t have any coworking areas but; in case you’re extra productive in a coworking setup, you might be dissatisfied. Nevertheless, I discovered loads of nice laptop-friendly cafes.
Digital Nomad Visa for Dubrovnik
In January 2021, Croatia formally launched its digital nomad visa, making it attainable to reside and work on this stunning nation for as much as one 12 months. Working remotely in Dubrovnik is now quite a bit simpler because of this growth. The visa is comparatively simple to use for and granted rapidly so long as you present all the mandatory paperwork.
If granted, the visa means that you can keep for as much as a 12 months and can’t be renewed. Nevertheless, you possibly can depart, watch for six months after which reapply. You’ll want to point out that you’ve sufficient funds to assist you throughout your keep together with an tackle in Croatia—this could be a hostel tackle that you just replace as soon as you discover someplace extra everlasting.
The additional excellent news is which you can additionally apply to convey your partner and kids with you as a part of the household reunification course of.
In Conclusion
I hope this digital nomad information to Dubrovnik has answered your questions and whet your urge for food. Dwelling in Dubrovnik is an expertise in all the fitting methods, and also you’ll meet so many different folks throughout your time. After all, you additionally get to remain someplace that’s dripping in magnificence and historical past, which definitely provides to the enchantment.
I loved my time in Dubrovnik a lot that I hope to return. Whereas it’s not the most affordable vacation spot in Croatia, it’s a metropolis that provides one thing slightly totally different from wherever else, and with slightly intelligent planning and some suggestions, you possibly can preserve money in your pocket and discover far and extensive.
